PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ralph Gordan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keith Anthony (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gordan
vs
Anthony

190 cm
23
250 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

200 cm
25
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ralph Gordan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Keith Anthony!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksandr Martynov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anthony ducks under a wild hook from Gordan.

Anthony has taken the fight to the clinch.

Anthony escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Anthony.
Anthony looks for a takedown but Gordan sprawls well.
Anthony uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gordan.
Gordan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Anthony ducks under a wild hook from Gordan.
Anthony looks to land a body kick but Gordan moved away.
A good leg kick by Anthony.
Anthony shoots in and drives through. Gordan sprawls well.
Ralph Gordan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keith Anthony.
Gordan doesn't manage to clinch there - Anthony circles away.

Anthony instigates a clinch.
Gordan has had enough of the clinch but Anthony keeps him there for the moment.

Anthony breaks the clinch.
Gordan misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anthony shoots in for a double leg but Gordan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gordan.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Anthony tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A lull in the action here as Gordan stalls from top position.
Gordan seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Anthony for as long as he can get away with.
Gordan is looking to take a break and control but Anthony is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Gordan stands up and beckons Anthony to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gordan misses with a looping left.
Gordan tries for a takedown but Anthony sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gordan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Anthony but Anthony pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Horrible takedown by Anthony or perhaps it was just good defense by Gordan which made him look bad.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Anthony misses with a head kick.
Anthony wants to clinch

and Gordan counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gordan.
Gordan changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Anthony fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Gordan shoots in and bounces Anthony off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Gordan is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Anthony working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gordan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gordan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gordan engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gordan throwing strikes from guard but Anthony blocks nicely.
Anthony trying to keep a closed guard but Gordan is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gordan preventing the sweep.
Gordan stands up over Anthony, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gordan throwing strikes from guard but Anthony blocks nicely.
Anthony throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Gordan wants to control from the top but Anthony keeps moving.
Anthony is adopting a defensive guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Anthony wants to stand but Gordan is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ralph Gordan dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gordan thows a leg kick but Anthony checks it
and Anthony cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Anthony manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Gordan on his heels. He'll look to pass Gordan's guard now, I'm sure.
Anthony pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gordan is keeping the position for now.
Gordan wants to sweep but no luck.
Anthony content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gordan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Anthony gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gordan keeping moving, preventing Anthony from controlling successfully.
Gordan will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Gordan wants to get back to his feet but Anthony is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gordan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Anthony is one step ahead there.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Anthony postures up.
Anthony must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Gordan is working an open guard so Anthony takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Gordan throws the kick towards the body but Anthony avoids it.
Gordan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Anthony connects with a crisp jab.
Ralph Gordan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Anthony closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gordan circles away.

Anthony darts in and clinches Gordan up against the cage.
Gordan drops down looking for an ankle pick but Anthony pulls his leg out and moves away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Anthony steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gordan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anthony fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Anthony drops his hands momentarily and Gordan takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gordan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Anthony lands a jab to the head.
Gordan wants to clinch
and Anthony counters with a left to the body.
Gordan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Anthony gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Anthony - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Gordan tries to pull guard but Anthony won't allow it.

Gordan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gordan feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Anthony controls Gordan momentarily but Gordan frees himself.
Anthony has Gordan pulled in close to control his posture.
Anthony is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gordan being controlled here momentarily.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Anthony is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anthony is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Anthony tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gordan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Anthony is keeping the position for now.

Anthony is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gordan sitting in guard, not really doing much.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Anthony checks a leg kick nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Anthony showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Gordan lands a leg kick that knocks Anthony off balance momentarily.
Anthony looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gordan lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gordan throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Gordan closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Anthony's guard.
Gordan controlling from the top position.
Gordan trying to control the position from guard on top but Anthony is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gordan sitting in guard here, content to control.
Anthony takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Gordan stands up and waves to Anthony to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gordan moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Keith Anthony has been cut.

Anthony tries to sprawl but Gordan drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Gordan seems to be looking for submissions.
Gordan landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Anthony is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gordan uses his free foot to push down on Anthony's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Anthony.
Gordan punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anthony tries to hold on but Gordan pushes him away.
Anthony is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gordan controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anthony taking shots to the head.
Anthony tries to lock up and control but Gordan gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gordan breaks from Anthony's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Anthony wants to hold on but Gordan pushes him away.
Gordan looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Gordan with a couple of short strikes.
Gordan takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Anthony is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gordan looking to control and managing it successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gordan looking to control but Anthony is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gordan tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ralph Gordan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gordan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ralph Gordan!